What do the other AFC West teams need to do to overcome the Chiefs in 2024?

Kansas City has won eight consecutive division titles.

It has been close to a decade since a team other than the Kansas City Chiefs won the AFC West division. The comprehensive nature of the Chiefs’ dominance in recent years can be seen simply through the prism of their three Super Bowl championships since 2019, but Kansas City entered the playoffs as a high seed each season thanks to taking care of business in the six divisional matchups it plays each year.

The Denver Broncos, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Las Vegas Raiders are all hoping that 2024 will be their year — but knocking the Chiefs off their perch atop the AFC West will take a clear plan and a healthy dose of luck against the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.
The Chargers might be in the best position to challenge the Chiefs in what has become Kansas City’s playground. Excitement is growing in Los Angeles with the hiring of new head coach Jim Harbaugh, while quarterback Justin Herbert can make throws that few other NFL quarterbacks can make. But the Bolts are over the salary cap as it stands, and their defense is set for a major overhaul this spring — not exactly a formula for an instant turnaround after a 5-12 season in 2023.
The Broncos have an ongoing controversy at quarterback, with veteran Russell Wilson’s future still uncertain at Mile High. Denver has the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft but could be a candidate to trade up and select an elite prospect, such as Drake Maye or Caleb Williams. However, the cost will be steep, and head coach Sean Payton needs to fix an inconsistent defense while managing a roster that is over the salary cap.